Bill,
Although the burner in my '68 Dometic can be problematic, the fridge
itself works great. If it was only used on electricity, you'd never know
there was any problem with it. Actually, if you nursemaid the burner, it
works fine on gas also.
<<Jim>>
Bill Scott wrote:
>
> Thanks Chris for some actual experence with frige failure. I just
> hate it when someone in the VAC says , "Well I've had that Frige since
> 63, and it still works perfect, ......doesn't yours ??? All the pre 79,
> Electrolux, Swedish, Dometic friges I have ever seen, were not working.
> Its nice to know the reasons.
>
> Bill Scott
> 61 Bambi, VAC & WBCCI #3221
> 1VP & Membership Chairman , WDCU
> http://www.servintfree.net/wbcci-dc/
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: [VAC] Ammonia cycle refrigerators.
> Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 16:50:19 -0400
> From: Chris Bryant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> References: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> I do a *lot* of work on ammonia refrigerators- at one point I considered
> rebuilding them (seemed to be way too much hasle).This week I have three
> that I am installing Midwest rebuilt cooling units in.
>
> The older units (pre 1979, or there abouts) applied heat directly to the
> boiler tube- a 1/8" tube. Since the burner flue and electric heating
> element(s) were right against the tube, and since the refrigerant (ammonia)
> is circulated purely by gravity, if the refrigerator was operated off
> level, the ammonia solution could "pool" in the upper tubes, starving the
> boiler tube for liquid. This would cause it to overheat, and cause the
> anti-corrosive agent to crytalize, clogging the boiler tube. The fix for
> this was to cut the tube out, and either clean it, or replace it.
> Most of the older models would fail in this manner, rather than leaking.
>
> The newwer models have the boiler tube wraped inside another tube, with
> ammonia in it- they are much less likely to overheat like this.. but...
>
> When the manufacturers (mostly Dometic) got to this stage, they started
> x-raying (they didn't use x-rays, but something similar) the cooling units
> while they were operating. They used this info to remove any un needed
> material (they made the tubing thinner). This has led to the way most
> newwer units fail, the dreaded ammonia smell- a leak.
>
> This is getting kind of long winded, but the upshot is that any older
> refrigerator is a good candidate for rebuilding- except for the issue of
> parts availability (I tried to find a ceramic burner for a late '50's/early
> '60's Dometic- no luck).
>
> This, of course, does not take into account weight (new refrigerators
> weigh 1/2-2/3 what an old one weighs) or convenience (with everything
> working- it is pretty nice to just push a button, and have it work).
>
> Sorry this was so long..
>
> ________
>
> Chris Bryant
> Bryant RV Services
> DeLand, Florida
> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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